Hospital equipment



Patented Apr. 29, 19307' LAURA A. CHAMBERS, orsT. 1.oU1s,.MIssoUnI l' HOSPITAL neUiirlvrrnv'r1 Application filedr April 9,

My invention relates to sick bed equipment and consists in a novel bed vessel particularly adapted for use by invalids who do not have control of their bladder or bowel movements. Y

5 The primary object of my invention is tov provide a vessel which maybe placed under the invalid and may remain there for indefinite periods without discomfort such as will arise froml use of ordinary bed pans.

Another object of my invention is to provide an article of the class described which will dra-in continuously or intermittently-as may be desired without removing the vessel from beneath the patient.

Another object of my invention is to provide .suchV an article which may be readily cleaned and, because of its construction, will not form crevicesvor pockets for retaining urine or other lmatter which tends to rot or V'20 otherwise injure the rubber or other flexible material used in a device. e

In the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate a selected embodiment of my invention- Figure'l is a top view of the same.

on lines 2-2 and 3 8, respectively, of Figure 1. A y

Figures l and 5 are, respectively, horizontal and vertical sections-.taken on lines VLl-i and 301 5*-5 of Figure 2. Y

Figure 6 is atletail section through a portion of the drain sure for the latter. I

The device includes an inflatable ring 1 formed preferably of rubber, each portion of which is adapted to assume a somewhat oval contour particularly when the weight of the user is superimposed thereon.V A bottom member 2, also formed preferably although other flexible is secured to the bottom of ring 1, the pointk of and? attachment being intermediate the inner outer peripherics of the ring. v A pan member 3 of rigid material, such as i aluminum, enamelware, glass, or the like, is detachablymounted beneath the ring and is positioned by the bottom member 2. Pan 3 is provided with an lupwardly curved' return bend rim 4 which willbe positioned beneath the inner and outer peripheries of the ring, as

Figures 2 and 3 are verticalsections taken e tube showing the use of a cloof rubber, material maybe used, v

weasel-iai No. 268,507. f

best shown-in Figure 3, vso that the ring'will,V overlie the rim ofthe pan and ,the flesh ofthe user will always bev supported at a substantial distance from the lpanand cannot contact with 'any portion ofthe latter. Itfma-y'be desirable tos'ealthe joint X betweenthe edge vof Vrim 4 'and theadj acent surface ofthe flexiblemate-v I'll. l y -The pan is provided with a depression comprising a centrally located portion 5, of sub- '60 stantial area, anda converging 'trough-like portion' leading from portion 5 to the drainagey end7 yof the pan. yThis portion of the pan extendsbeneath the lring l'iand preferably; is of ,ovaly contour and of much smaller-'width than the body of the pan. This'construction provides a 'covered passageo'f rigid materialv from the open top portion of the panv to be yond the ring which supports the v'weight of theuser.v Y A nipple 8, preferably formed of glass,has a sliding fit in the dischargeendf? of the pan land. is provided lwith'al removable screen 9 at the end spaced from the pan. This end-of the nipple is vadapted to be received within a drainage tubejlO, preferably-formed of rubber, and its purpose is'to enable the attendant to determine-by casual inspection whether or not the trough is clear for drainage purposes. Thescreen will 'preventthe passage of any 80 non-liquid matter which would have a tendency to block thefdrai'nage tube. f i' p f f v InFigure 6I illustrate a closure member ll-which maybe applied tothe end of nipple 8 and which has a removable lug 12. This member 11 may be substituted for the ldrainage tube 10 when the latter is being cleaned or it y is desired to use the device temporarily and not for an indefinite period.

Itwill be seen from the above description 90 and the attached illustrations that I have provided a device well adapted for the intended purpose in that the comfort of the user is assured anda maximum degree of sanitation is provided. p I am aware that bed pans with 95 rubber rings'have been previously suggested and used to some extent,'particularly fortemporary purposes, but I know from years of hopsital work y'that there is nothing in general use which ris adapted to meet the conditions stated in the beginning of the specification, that is, a device Which may be used indefinitely Without inconvenience to the user, Without quickly becoming unusable because of its insanitary condition.

lt Will be obvious that Various changes may be made in the details of the construction otl my dei'ce lWithout departing Ifrom thel spirit of my invention, and I contemplate the exclusive use of such modications as come within the scope of 'my claims.

IV claim:

l. vIn a device of the character described,

Y a. pan or' rigid material, and an inflatable ring surrounding said pan solas to rest upon tliesurfa-ce which alsosupports said ,pan and providing a compressible cushion overlying the edge ol said pan.v

2. Inadevice of thec-haracter described,

a aan ofri-gid material, therebeing a 4depression formed in 'said pan comprising; a central 4portion of substantial area and a converging trough leading therefrom, a portion of said :trough havinga rigid cover., and -an inflatable ring overlying the edge of said pan and overlyingthe covered portion olf said trough. n

.3. In a device .of the character described., an inflatable ring, a pan` of rigid material with an upwardly curved return bend rim `s rssembled with said ring so that said rim is positioned inter-mediate the inner .and outer v peripheries vof said ring, and a bottom mem- 'ber of leX'ibl-e material for retaining said pan and having its edges secured to the bottom of said ring intermediate 'the inner and outer Vfperipller'ies of the latter.

4. In fa device of the character described, an inflatable ring, `a removable Ipan of rigid material With an upwardly curved return lbend rim assembled with said ring so that vsaid .rim is vpositioned intermediate the ing ner andonter peripheries of sai-d ring, and

a bottom member of iexible material for de- 'ta-chably securing said pan and hav-ingr its edges secured to the bottom vof saidring in'- termediate the-inner andV outer .peripheries of ish@ latter.

In testimonywhereo'f Ihereunto affix my sig-nature this 6th day of April, '1928,

LAURA A. CHAMBERS.

leso 

